BOE list of unwanted mandates

BOE's Most Disliked Mandates

Mar 05, 2006

Every year the BOE tells use that the budget is as high as it is because of the many mandates placed upon it by the state. We have asked for a list of mandates that they want the state to remove. On Nov 11th 2005 BOE President Eva Nagy emailed TUF with a list. We present them here as we received them, followed by our comments

The BOE to site 2 or 3 mandates that they would not follow if state and federal funding did not require it.

1. Property tax reform- special session for legislators

A Special Session of the state Legislature, dedicated to property tax reform, would be the quickest and most efficient method to implement tax reform. See information on NJSBA.org
ACR-99/SCR-20 and ACR-218 would convene the Legislature in special session for the express purpose of addressing property tax reform. More than 60% of the members of the Assembly and Senate have signed on as sponsors or co-sponsors of the proposals for a Special Session on property tax reform.

2. Insurance-

District has to pay occupational, physical and behavioral therapies- cost for this should come out of parent insurance or paid by the state
The State should develop a benefits program that is at a cost saving to all districts- presently it is cheaper for districts to provide benefits outside State Health Plan even after paying a penalty for not participating in the State plan. With insuring so many people, the State can garner much savings and more co-pays.

3. State should pay for-

Nurse assistants on school busses and classrooms
Assistive devices parents
More funding for 504 services

4. State should pay for charter schools

Legislators will only listen when voters in large numbers request changes. I am very happy if you and others will help in addressing these issues and look forward in working with you on these issues. NJSBA.org is a good source on issues boards are championing. Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions.

Take care.....

Eva

TUF's Reply

While we agree with item 1 it is not a mandated and it does not address costs. It only addresses who will pay not if spending is appropriate. We agree with the other mandates and will ask the BOE to provide us with an estimate of these costs.